I must admit to being rather enamored with the work of Greene and Greene. I've visited a number of their homes in Pasadena, but have not yet had the opportunity to view the Blacker House (from the inside anyway). Over the last ten years, I have read about every book written on the brothers, and when I read the pre-release description of this book I was very excited. In particular, I was interested in learning in detail how this wonderful quality work was reproduced and restored by today's craftsmen. While this book does a great job covering the history and detail of the house, this is not new territory if you're familiar with the previous body of work. I really had my hopes up that the hammer and nails detail of this monumental restoration would be covered in such a fashion as to provide working information applicable to new design. The work of Greene and Greene carried residential detail design in wood and metal to it's zenith. With the structure exposed, this was really a magnificent chance to highlight the subtlties that set their work apart. This does not happen here. My comments may be a little unfair but this book ends up being another "architectural" reference. I was looking for something that broke new ground. This being said, I still love the book, and am glad to have it in my library.

I guess it's a small world, as I was also at the Blacker house on 6 October. (It was a Pasadena Heritage event. They play an important role in preserving the work of Greene and Greene and other outstanding architects in the Pasadena area.) While I agree that this is an excellent book on the Blacker House for those interested in Greene and Greene or in Craftsman architecture in general, I would recommend that anyone looking for an introduction to the work of Greene and Greene start either with one of Makinson's books on their work or with Edward R. Bosley's recent book. When you get hooked you can come back for this book.

A great deal has been written about the work of architects Charles and Henry Greene, but never before has such a detailed monograph been published about one of the homes that they designed. Randell Makinson's narrative provides a thorough historical background of the Blacker Family from their Ontario origin to their final home and its construction by the Greene brothers in the Oak Knoll subdivision of Pasadena. The story continues with the 1947 subdivision of the 5.1 acre estate into seven separate parcels and the eventual removal and sale of the original furniture, light fixtures and art-glass windows (all designed by the Greenes). The book concludes with a detailed description of the restoration process that began when the current owners purchased the home in 1993, and was basically completed in 1998.

Historical narratives, while full of useful and interesting information, are typically a little monotonous. That is not the case with this book. Mr. Makinson's obvious passion for the work of Greene and Greene, and for this house in particular, is evident. His description of the removal of 53 light fixtures from the house in 1985 left a lump in my throat. I could not put the book down until I read the happy ending about the house's restoration.

I had the privilege of visiting the Blacker House on October 6th, and viewing firsthand the results of the restoration effort. While nothing can quite compare to walking through this masterpiece and touching the magnificent woodwork, I can assure you that the marvelous photography of Thomas Heinz and Brad Pitt comes very close. The collection of photographs in this book is absolutely wonderful. The interplay of light and shadows, the warmth and depth that the colors bring to the images, and the visual compositions themselves cause me to rank these among the best architectural photographs ever published.

This is a must-have book for anyone interested in Arts and Crafts architecture. The contribution of Charles and Henry Greene to the American architectural vernacular can never be overstated, and this house is certainly one of their most important contributions to the art. Thank you Randell, Thomas and Brad for supplying a valuable addition to my library. I hope this is the first in a series of books about the "ultimate bungalows."

(4 1/2 stars) Graham Greene brings charecters together in a wonderful way in this powerful story. Set in provincial Argentinian town of exhausted passion, grim thoughts and absurb hope, Greene revolves this around a political kidnapping.

A mistaken American Ambassador, a pregnant prostitute, a doctor, revolutionarys, a priest, a novelist and a English teacher thrown into the dramatic mist of an affair and kidnapping. All this brings out the complexities of love and faith.
I read with great pleasure a wonderful writer.

I can't believe this book is out of print. It's one of Greene's best novels.

One of Greene's most spare and tension filled novels.

This book is not a complete and detailed biography, but is a nice tribute to Walt Disney. It has a lot of photos, and the most interesting parts of the book are "personal side" sections.

This is a must have for the Disney fan. This book gives in depth detail into the man who created the "happiest place on earth", from the people who knew hime best. His family, friends, and employees. I have read many books on Disney, and this ranks in the top 2(along with Imaganineering). It tells the stories of his triumphs as well as his tragedies. I highly recommend this book.

Walt Disney is well on his way to becoming the most written about creative talent in American film.
This is the 100th anniversary of his birth and thankfully any examination of his life can still include careful interviews with people who knew him and worked with him. The book is less an in-depth biography and more like spending a long afternoon hearing how it was from those who knew him best and who can praise him at the same time they acknowledge his frailties. It's an earnest and heartfelt look at the heart and soul of the man, and the authors do their level best to take a frank and thoughtful approach while still being entertaining. Like everything else Disney, it's best to give in to the fact that you're about to be put under a spell. The sooner you give in, the more fun you'll have.
Though some may find it less satisfying than a more critical analysis, this reader is tired of deconstructing American icons and welcomes this lovely look at a historical figure whose impact went well beyond his filmmaking. Disney is arguably the greatest influence on American popular culture and family entertainment in the past 100 years. Most admirable is the way the authors address some of the detractors who've criticized Walt Disney over the years for such things as anti-Semitism or racism. Albeit sentimental, the authors maintain fairly good objectivity. Walt Disney remains enigmatic even to those closest to him. Thankfully, the recollections by family and friends are edited into the layout without making the entire book seem like a posthumous testimonial dinner.
Granted this Disney Editions publication doesn't come without its ulterior motives. With the kind of control Disney has always had over any thing profiling the company one doubts that a harsh light will ever shine on their founder in one of their own pubications. But dreams and dreamers always look better in a soft light, and who but a bitter DreamWorker would ever want to bother trying to detract from such happy success? (And if ever proof was needed that certain ex-studio head turned competitor NEVER was and NEVER WILL be the next Walt Disney, this delivers it!) Though you wish the current Disney brass would pay more attention to the underlying principals of what makes Disney 'Disney' that are spelled out in this book. Hey, we can dream, too, can't we?
Still, this deliciously illustrated oversized scrapbook-styled remembrance of Walt more than makes up for its obvious propaganda focused origins. Imagine(eer) that!
Even though the book serves primarily as a companion to the documentary film of the same title, it's a wonderful read. A gentle reflection with rich illustrations -- some seldom and never before seen photographs -- and a rich and handsome design. Endlessly entertaining. A lovely tribute worth adding to your library.

ahh, to have visited mexico in the 30's. palenque, bonampak, and all the other "undiscovered" sites of mexico. greene does an admirable job of describing all the sights of the mayan country of the south. however, stick to "the power and the glory" for the real thing.

Tabasco and Chiapas in the 1930's - not a nice place either to live or to visit. Greene's explorations provided background and some characters for his great short novel or tale, The Power and the Glory. If you are a student of fine writing, read the novel first, then read this to see how he gathered and used material. Or read this first for background that adds depth to the novel. If you are an armchair traveler or student of Mexico, enjoy Greene's adventures and be grateful he went through them so you don't have to do it yourself. This is truly a classic of travel writing.

Unfortunately I'm unable to compare with The Power and the Glory, because I haven't read it yet. this was my first Graham Greene book and i will definitely read more. The book is written in such a rich poetic style. Every sentence is precious and evocative. This is no ordinary travel book.

This book was not as good as the first Marie book. It was ok, though, nothing really great however. I reccomend the first one more.

Mystery At the Paris Ballet was just as good as the first Marie book! I liked it!

At last Marie has realized her dream of dancing with the famed paris opera, but life at the ballet is not all she imagined it would be. the other dancers in the corps de ballet,jealous of her talent, tease her about her youth and inexperience. her long hours of practice leave her little time for her best friend,joelle. Her wealthypatron,Countess du lac, gives her lavish gifts, but it is difficult for marie to accept the Countesses extravagance while people struggle to provide for their families and poor children beg for food in the streets of paris.

This book is about a girl, Maria and how she got separated from her sister and escaped to Amsterdam. I learnded a couple of words in Portuguese. I really liked this book because it is adventurous. I recommend this book to any one who loves adventures. It is a great book.

i loved this book i recomend you buy it for yourself or someone else im a 14 year old girl and i think that even someone older than me should read it and would enjoy it i also read the sequel so if your buying this as a gift get the set or the gift getter will be mad you didnt give the otherone when they finish the first please buy this book it deserves a nobel prize.

Maria's story is a delicious mix from the above average. You'll want to read it and it's compainion, Out of Many Waters over and over again! The story is captivating, the charactors, highly believable

Simple and peaceful story with lush pastel illustrations

This quiet and lyrical book presents the wonders of the rain to children and parents alike. The illustrations complement the writing perfectly. Everyone will want to rush out and feel the rain drops on their cheeks after reading this fine book.

To truly appreciate this book, you must look long and deep into the illustrations. The faces convey an almost lifelike quality. Kids will love it

This was an interesting theory on the fight and it is plausible. It falls short because the author uses secondary sources, not original for his documentation. Also, he should have edited out the hyperbole in his descriptions of the participants. it would have been a better read, as well as better scholarship, if he had toned down his persons biases and let the reader form his own opinion. At the very least, he should have separated "facts" from his opinion.

Tombstone is one of my favorite movies

Mr. Hickey has written an interesting and information filled account of the most famous event in the history of the American West. While I don't agree with all his theories, I have to commend him on a thorough (some may say too thorough) take on the shootout behind the O.K. Corral. He gives you a shot by shot account of his take on what happened. Even if you don't agree with his conclusions, there is enough information to draw your own. The illustrations are excellent, also. All in all, a great read for anyone as fascinated as I am about this "disagreement" on the streets of Tombstone.

Shawn uses some great tips and techniques to get started with sales and sales management. She takes very complex issues and simplifies them very, very well.

Although I don't think it is designed for advanced salespeople or detailed selling situations, it is still a very useful book to bring people up to that role.

Shawn Greene gives an excellent overview and makes the learning
fun with her humorous examples. She begins with the acronym PIG
for Persistence, Integrity and Guts and carries those through to
deal with some common sales problems. I very much recommend this
for sales people, sales managers and sales trainers.

I was fully prepared to listen to the do's and don'ts of selling, what I wasn't prepared for was the high entertainment value contained as well. As an entrpreneur I am constantly struggling witht the best "approach" to selling my services. Ms Greene's advice centers on not having a particular approach but on simply respecting your potential client's time and asking for permission. Along the way I picked helpful suggestions and new ways to think about the sales and marketing procedure. And on top of all that she mixes in some great gags that had me laughing out loud in commuter traffic (don't try this at home). I would recommend this CD to the beginning sales person as well as the seasoned veteran looking for new ways to grow in their profession.

Greene at his most paranoid turns the war novel into something a great deal more sinister. Forget Da's Army and the spirit of the blitz and see ww2 turn into one man's own private nightmare. Like the dream you have where you keep running, but all you enter is one strange room after another, this is a fascinating book, marred only by the occasional lapse in pace and one of Greene's less memorable leading men.

Set in England during WWII, The Ministry of Fear is the story of Arthur Rowe surviving but not truly living in the shadow of what was once his life. He finds himself hunted by shadowy forces of espionage and the memory of having mercifully murdered his sick wife. Somewhat convuluted at times and not Greene's best effort, but still brilliant and heart tugging. Greene's fire always burns brightest when he speaks to the heart and not of cloak and dagger stuff.

Arthur Lowe's (uh, Rowe's) struggle to quiet his life from the awful memory of his merciful killing of his dying wife because he cannot stand to see her suffer is really a low point(if you will) for this man, yet we still feel sorry for him and his battle. He finds great pity at seeing anyone or thing suffer, so much so that he is blind to the moral imperative that murder is wrong and is a crime. Lowe gets away with it in the story, but not in his mind. We see Arthur stepping "joyfully back into adolescence", to "mislay the events of twenty years", that cause him to behave in a childish manner - he will not give up the cake at the fete. The action propels him into a journey of espionage that would change his life. Instead of trying to struggle to forget his past we see him struggle to find his past and to discover who he is. In the process he finds love once again.
The backdrop of the bombing of London and all the underground cubby holes he seeks to shelter himself from the life altering bombs of his mind are all great metaphors that tie this very good novel together. Rowe is not a hero but a highly flawed human who coincidentally disrupts a spy plot at the moment of his catharsis. His purity of compassion and pity for suffering beings is his downfall because he crosses the line into unethical conduct to sooth himself - a selfish indulgence that results in him playing God, and then almost makes the same error again.
How many times do we excuse ourselves for our actions in the name of noble spirit? It is the precursor to Catch 22 ("We had to destroy the village to save it", or "I had to kill my wife to put her out of her misery").
There is much to learn from this "entertaintment".